Tag Archives: Architecture

It’s Mahaveer Jayanti today, and we are reminded of the most beautiful Jain temple in Rajasthan i.e Ranakpur Jain Temple!
Ranakpur Jain temple is a beautiful destination to experience the marvels of architecture in Rajasthan. The famous Jain temple is located near Sadri town in Pali district of Rajasthan.

The main attraction of the Ranakpur Jain temple is its architectural excellence and fine carvings on the walls. The major attraction of this temple is the Chaumukha marble temple.

The temple comprises of 1444 pillars, each unique in architecture and design. These pillars in the temple are completely carved in a different manner without any similarities. Carvings of pillars are the peak level of architectural skills in this temple. Other than the pillars, the mesmerizing multi-curved ceilings catch the visitors’ attention. Ceilings of this temple are beautifully carved and designed with miniature designs, geometric designs. Not just the pillars and ceilings of the temple, some other beautiful carvings like Marble elephant are also the attractions of Ranakpur temple.

So many sculptures and different fine carvings are the symbol of architectural style and preaches of Jainism. This temple is the best and unique place to experience the legends Jainism. The deities that are worshipped here are the Adinath, Neminath, Parshvanath, Surya, and Amba Matha. Among them, the Adinath temple means Chaumukha is visited by a maximum number of devouts.

Most people are familiar with the proud center of art & crafts and in fact a lot more than that with Jawahar Kala Kendra aka JKK in Jaipur. Like the rest of Jaipur’ wisely chalked out architecture and planning, JKK boasts of an architecture that spellbinds a beholder at just one glance. No doubt, when the place is so unique and the location is worth shooting it is common to capture the same by one and all using own artistic spin.

History of Jawahar Kala Kendra

Dedicated to India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, Jawahra Kala Kendra is truly metaphoric to the city of Jaipur i.e. an astonishing synthesis of past and future. A contemporary building based on an archaic notion of the Cosmos; the very same Navgaraha mandala, with one of the squares moved aside and beautiful murals inside, based on cosmology.

JKK was built by Rajasthan Government with the plan prepared by the renowned architect Charles Correa in 1986. The building was ready in 1991 and of course, the plan was inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur, consisting of nine squares with central square left open.

This multi-arts center has been created with the purpose of preserving Rajasthani arts and crafts and it was in 1993 that JKK was open to the cultural connoisseurs.

Built by Rajasthan government with the purpose of preserving Rajasthani arts and crafts, JKK adapts and applies concepts from ancient architectural principles called the Vastu Vidya.

The main building contains six exhibition galleries, open air theatre, auditoriums, dormitories, and coffee house.

Each section of the building resembles the characteristics of the respective planet; for instance, the library is located in the Jupiter section, which attributes to knowledge and wisdom.

The murals from the Jain mythology, the charts and paintings on the ceiling of the central dome formulate the exceptional nature of JKK.

However, while preserving the cultural heritage and art of the state, JKK saw age catching up as far as maintenance of its building was concerned. Hence, it was revived and refurbished in 2016.

With the new lighting and the red sandstone could once again be seen shining clean and attractive enough to draw towards it a swarm of tourists, history lovers, local residents and art aficionados.

Right from the entrance till the exit, every corner, center and even the smallest parts of Jawahar Kala Kendra either tell or make a story.

The building is designed with walls bearing paintings, murals, all of them based on astronomy and cosmology, but there are some which also give an honest tribute to art and theatre.

One of the oldest and most iconic coffee houses of Jaipur – Indian Coffee House, houses in its newly revamped look an admirable mural of Ebrahim Alkazi – a living legend who is one of the most influential Indian theatre directors and drama teachers belonging to 20th-century Indian theatre.

The Coffee House in the lunar section portrays the less revealed aspects of Indian astronomy through the paintings and creativity shown here; even on the coffee – tables. Every table depicts a different phase of Moon as seen in a painting at the coffee house.

Adjoining the main building of JKK, a rural complex housed in it 9.5 acre complex known as Shilpgram is the venue for fairs, haat bazaars and festivals.

Let’s take a walk through this ultimate hub of arts and crafts through this video-

Indian architecture is the cynosure of the world’s eyes that has always presented a colorful mosaic of styles and beauty. One such exclusive architecture is the step wells of Rajasthan, which has been cited as an exquisite example of unparalleled artistic and architectural beauty.

Rajasthan’s most awe-inspiring baoris (step-wells), Chand Baori at Abhaneri, is a unique creation by the natives for harvesting rainwater, situated at a distance of 95 km from Jaipur, on Jaipur-Agra road.

30 meters deep with 13 floors and 3500 steps, Chand Baori is one of India’s deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings certainly is delightful to eyes. It is one such astonishing view which can never be seen anywhere and is the finest example of geometrical excellence of the bygone era.

Interestingly, these big tanks were used as the cool places of resort and water reservoir in parched days.